Growing up in the Projects
Growing up in Queens:
Losing a Friend over the Hustle:
A HOUSING PROJECT STORY:
I thought I saw my friend, Shelly, doing the hustle in the basketball park. So, I smiled, and my strides grew wider as I dreamt about learning that trot.
See, Shelly, and I made a promise that whoever learned the Hustle first would teach the dance step to the other. So, when I approached her. I said,
"Hey, now show me."
"I can't."
"What? Why?"
"Because of Pita. I promised her I would not show you the dance that's why she taught me."
I was stunned, hurt, and I realized those words my friend had said meant she was not my friend.
That is when I noticed Pita smirking at my expressive pain. I did not need or want to figure out why she held me in such disdain.
See, I grew up in the ... Projects, and everything was competitive. Corn-braiding -- I could not do -- double dutch jumping -- I tried to do -- smoking -- I choked off of -- boys -- my parents would have killed me -- but dancing, well that was my big to do.
See, in my ... Projects, I was one of the few girls known as a quick dance learner, and one of the best dancers to boot. Being a great dancer in the Projects places one in high esteem.
As if I could ever brag about my love of learning or how my reading level was two grades higher than my actual grade.
So, I practiced a dance step -- I learned -- every night and day.
After a while it seemed no one -- including Pita, and Shelly -- wanted to teach me any dance steps.
So, I decided to stop asking, and just watch and learned ....
This story has some facts and some fiction within it.
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The Hustle
DID YOU EVER LEARN THE HUSTLE?
Hustle ... Dance Instruction Dvds on Sale:
Related
Comments
- Author
Hello Green Art,
Thank you so much for your kind comments. I am happy this Hub brought back such good memories.
Take Care,
N.E.
I was living in Boston in the 70's when the Hustle came out, (John Travolta/Bee Gees and Saturday Night Live). Going to the clubs with the mirrored ball in the ceiling was the highlight of my weekend. I wasn't a great dancer, but held my own. I can still hear the music and see the lights.
Growing up my sisters and I used to dance in our living room at home every chance we got. We'd watch Band Stand and Soul Train to learn the latest moves. Your hub brought back some great memories.
Sorry your friend wouldn't teach you the Hustle, but you learned it despite her. Good for YOU! Loved all your photos too. Voted UP, beautiful and interesting.
- Author
Hi Jandee,
I love your interesting comments. I thank you so much for them.
Take Care,
N.E.
- Author
Thanks so much for your comments.
Yeah, I have been thinking to much about the projects lately. LOL. I do not know if that is good or bad.
Take Care,
N.E.
Lovely tale. Reminds me of the 'Ritz'in Manchester-different time though! 50s wow-long time ago that just seems like yesterday. All the girls-Teddy girls dancing (jiving)in middle of floor around small handbags and Teddy boys just pretending to be disinterested . On the far side of the dance-hall all the G.Is(U.S airmen). Black to one corner and white to the other side, and the Teddy-Boys giving scowls to any girl who danced with a G.I which we all did anyway-------
Too bad that I lost my Two best friends who both got married to U.S airmen,I was Bridesmaid to one friend.
Happy days....When I think back to those U.S airmen they were very sophisticated for their young age..
Mick Jagger .........great!
enjoyed , from jandee
Loved this hub! Took me back
- Author
LOL. I could not act like I knew anything. I had to stop doing homework so bullies did not try to get me to do their work for them. LOL. Sad, but life when I was growing up.
Thanks for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
How sad you couldn't brag about your reading! It is so difficult to be 'different' though sometimes different is better. Enjoyed reading this.
- Author
Hey Jo,
I hope I can call you Jo? LOL.
Well, you know how competitive it was growing up in the Projects. LOL.
My mother would watch us from the front hallway windows inside our apartment building until some elder from the building would come out and sit on the bench. Usually those women where white. LOL. They would tell my mother to go back to her cooking and they will keep an eye on us, and they did. Boy, that was sickening. LOL. We were pest. LOL.
They were cool people. I think about Mrs. Libby all the time. She always told my mother if my siblings and I did something wrong. We did our best not to.
Still, we really liked her, because she was nice. She was not grumpy. She really respected my mother and father. She would not let her friend, a woman known as The Big Mouth Lady, get away with saying anything against my mother.
The Big Mouth Woman was Black. LOL. She always had something bad to say about everyone's child, and ignore how terrible her sons and grandchildren were. LOL. I love life. LOL.
Your mother seemed to have been a great woman.
If it were not for my parents I really believe I would be a sorry bigot. They did not tell us about the hatred they encountered for being Black while we were children. I love that to this day.
Thank you so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
Hello N.E. :-)
I grew up for a time in the projects. There was very few "white families" in our section. My mother use to sit outside and make sure she watched what us kids were doing. If she saw something she didn't like, we would hear about it. My mother (God rest her soul) felt that a person is just as valuable as the next. The color of skin is of no concern. It is what lies in the heart. I believe that you have one terrific heart~ be blessed and take care. It is a pleasure and blessing to read your work. :-)
- Author
Hey Sherlock221b,
Interesting information about British Housing Projects being called Council Estates. Very interesting.
Boy's here in America loved to dance at parties with girls so they learned the in style dance of the day. LOL. They did not make a big deal about it, but they surely knew how to dance those newest steps. So someone had to teach it them. LOL.
Now, when you speak about professional dance lessons, well, that is different. I knew a boy who's mother placed him and his younger brother in modern dance classes. She even treated him like her girl friend, and had the nerve to be upset when people called him what he later revealed himself to be, gay.
Still, I respected that kid, because he was short, but he fought back when people called him out of his name, and he actually was not afraid to fist fight anyone. So they really did not mess with him. He could fight. His younger brother could not fight though. He got beaten up for his other brother all the time. It was just wrong. I really did not understand why they were hated so much.
His younger brother was ashamed of him, and always said he was not gay, until he was older and you could tell he was gay too. LOL. They were really proud of themselves. They just did not care what people thought. LOL. That was kind of cool to me. LOL.
The boys were nice to those who were respectful to them, but they had to endure a lot back in the '70s and '80s. They were brave.
I do understand what you mean about not being able to join into something or a least do what you want, because you may be perceived as something unflattering by others.
My younger brother actually wanted to have his hair braided by me in the '70s -- like most guys were starting to do -- but my father had a fit when he saw me braiding his hair, and said he could never ever get his hair braided. He never did. Unless you count dreadlocks when he was an adult. LOL.
Thank you so much for sharing your interesting story. I really appreciate it.
Take Care,
N.E.
In grew up on a council estate, which is the British version of the projects. I never learnt to dance, but where I lived, had any boy shown any interest in dancing, I think he would have been viewed with suspicion and would probably have been beaten-up. Mind you, I don't remember any of the girls dancing either. The nearest they came to dancing was with their skipping rope games, which as a boy, I was never allowed to join in, although it looked much more exciting than football.
- Author
Hello Joe,
I appreciate your praise.
Thanks for sharing your story about growing up as an Air Force Brat. LOL. I like that.
Sorry about your learning about prejudice and segregation in the South.
I learned about some prejudice people the same year as you when I was about 6 years old. My mother and I was in a supermarket. I did not know why a woman looked at me with such hate ..., and my mother informed me she was prejudice. I did not know what the hell she was talking about. LOL. I never heard the word before.
The people who lived in my building were mostly working class people of different races. I did not understand that at the time. You do not know that is not the norm unless an adult speaks on it. My parents never did.
I actually -- unfortunately -- saw what poor was. I saw kids come to school in horrible conditions, and get laughed at. I saw the reason for school breakfast too. Most of those kids did not eat breakfast at home. I did not understand it, but I did see it, and it was sad.
Thank you so much for your thought provoking comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
_________________________________________________________
Hey Cooldad,
Thanks for your kind praise.
It is weird when it comes to young Black kids and education. People make fun of us and yet want us to help them by doing their homework. LOL. Crazy.
Still, once you are older they admire you like hell. LOL.
Unfortunately, you are correct about how things are still the same. My 7 year old son loved homework, but after being in his new class -- this past school year -- he started acting like he hated homework. My son loved homework. LOL. Just like his Mom did. LOL.
I learned later that almost none of his classmates do their homework. To me that is crazy. Where are they parents? My son does not have a choice. LOL. Not in his formative years. He wants to mess up when he is in college that is his business. LOL. Unless I am paying for his education .... LOL.
Now, I must say there were other kids in the Projects who made fun of the kids that were not smart. That was worse to me. LOL.
You do not want people making fun of how you pronounce words. I use to practice hard words before I went outside to play. LOL. I did not brag about knowing anything, but I knew that if it came up I better know how to say it.
What my younger brother said he learned from all of that was to not speak about his education at all. No one knew he was in a class for gifted students. They thought he was just a badass kid who always got in trouble. LOL.
My siblings and I really work hard at making sure our children are not ashamed of their knowledge as most of us was.
Thanks so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
Great hub, I enjoyed that. Amazing comment about how you couldn't brag about being advanced at reading. That still rings true with kids today. While I didn't grow up in the projects, I'm guessing being advanced in school wasn't something that gave kids street cred.
It would be nice to be able to change that perception. I can only imagine how many kids from the projects give up at school for fear of being made fun of. Amazing how something that simple can potentially change a kid's life.
That is a wonderful, short article. It definitely could be something way bigger. You have the ability to put your emotion on the page. Good job. When I was 4, my dad was in the Air Force, and we moved to the projects in Puerto Rico. "Projects" was one of the first words I learned. But, it was a good word at the time because I didn't know black from white from brown. All the kids were just my friends. We lived there for three years. I also didn't know what poor was. Then, when I was 7, my dad was transferred to the "South." This was 1969 and a rude awakening for me. I learned some other words like "prejudice and segregation."
Thanks for your story. I never learned the Hustle, but I did learn the Electric Slide. :)
- Author
Hello Sesshoumaru2st,
LOL. You know I think you are correct about life being like a big Project. LOL.
I have seen some crazy things happen to people just coming from the grocery store.
Sheeps learn to protect themselves from the dogs and the wolves. LOL. I know I was a sheep. LOL.
Thanks so much for your interesting comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
This reminds me of Jamaica.Either way,life is like a big project.Everyone will be competing for the number 1 spot. Sheep are not allowed in this place;only the dogs and the wolves.
- Author
Hello Joytotheworld,
I appreciate your kind words.
Take Care,
N.E.
So simple and short but very inspiring
- Author
Hi Chuck,
Hey, did your Projects have a community center?
For me that was the best thing about the Projects. LOL. It was a place to have fun in, and some of the workers took us on field trip regularly. They did a lot for the community.
Though I really did not see that as a child. LOL. Sometimes they got on my nerves. LOL. They were always telling us to love ourselves. LOL. We thought we did love ourselves. LOL. Still, they were correct. LOL.
I am happy this made you think back.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
Very nice. I enjoyed it. I grew up in the Projects in the "westside" of Hagerstown, MD. Your story made me remember.
- Author
Hi Marlin 55,
I appreciate your kind words.
Have a lovely Memorial Day 2011.
Take Care,
N.E.
Thank you for sharing that story and the great photographs. I loved it.
Thank you for sharing that story and the great photographs. I loved it.
- Author
Hey Twilanelson,
Your comments are fun. I love them. LOL.
Fake microphones. Oh, yeah, those were memories ....
As always, thanks for your comments, and your kind words.
Take Care,
N.E.
________________________________________________________
Hello Spirit Whisperer,
Hum. I think I only have two favorite female dancers. Ginger Rogers, and Debbie Allen. All the dancers I truly admire are male.
Wow, I just realized that. LOL.
Jive? Wow, I use to practice that dance step with my mother for gym class I believe. She was great. LOL. It was a lot of fun.
Thank you for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
I never learned to dance and I always admired the boys who could who I was growing up. I promised myself that one day I will learn but it will be more the waltz and jive. Thank you.
Fun Hub, you have given me some fun memories of young girls laughing together while learning the hustle (and other dances). Our fake microphones in hand, dancing in front of the mirror and eventually, when we got older, dancing all night long.
- Author
Hi Phiphi,
Thanks for your lovely words.
I appreciate your stopping by.
Take Care,
N.E.
Awesome hub
vote up + useful
- Author
Hi Trusouldj,
LOL. I liked the song too.
I wish I did know how to do the hustle.
Thanks for the comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
Liked the song, but I wouldn't know a hustle if it bit me on the ankle.
- Author
Hello Penlady,
Shelly's issue has always been being inside the in crowd.
Though to be honest Pita was not that in. She was just older than we were and her older siblings started taking her to discos so we thought that was cool. LOL.
We met Pita when she was in a back braces for her spine I believe. She had just moved into our Projects and she had no one who would hang with her age. She was 13 and we were 10. We felt sorry for her, because she seemed nice but lonely.
You know I really forgot about that stuff. LOL. Oh, well .... Oh, and they were self absorbed. LOL.
I thank you for your kind words. I am glad I had entertained you.
Take Care,
N.E.
Shelly and Pita sound like two insecure brats. They were just afraid you'd do the hustle better than they did. And chances are, they're probably not doing the hustle or any other old school dance today!
This article was very entertaining. You took me back to a different era - though Shelly and Pita proved that even back in the day, people could be selfish.
Great hub! Voted up.
- Author
Hey MRS. J.B.
I don't think those two are very good friends anymore. LOL.
Sorry, I still do not know how to do the Hustle. LOL.
As always you have such kind words for me. They are truly making my somewhat sad day.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
Wow: Shelly and Pita... HMMMM... Sigh I knew girls like that too. Anyway can you teach me the hustle????
I love your hubs. They speak from your heart and soul. I am touched and can can reach in my own heart and feel your pain...
- Author
Hello Micky,
LOL. I knew how to dance, but I did not know how to do the Hustle. LOL.
Thank you for your kind words.
Take Care,
N.E.
I wish I could dance NE. Thank you for another well written hub. God bless dear.
- Author
Hi Terri,
LOL. You are funny.
I love your account about the disco days. LOL. I just love it.
People where I grew up would not teach certain people the Hustle, because it would make them as cool as they were, and they could not have that. LOL.
I thank you so much for sharing your hilarious -- LOL -- succinct accounts.
Take Care,
N.E.
I'm amazed there are so many people who never learned "The Hustle"! I used to go to nightclubs when I was 16 & 17. Things were a little lenient back then and no one asked if I was 21. I met my first husband at my favorite club. The man could dance and he grabbed my attention right away. He was the one who taught me the Hustle. We used to dance in dance club competitions just for the fun of it. My favorite prize was a 7 foot tall pink stuffed rabbit that we won Easter weekend. I really loved wearing the disco clothes and having the skirts swirl and fan while twirling. I thought it was all so glamorous back then.
But I learned a really valuable lesson. Never marry a guy just because he can dance. (lol) His complaint when we danced was that I had a tendency to try to lead. I think after we were married he was probably more irritated that I tried to be the leader in that too! Oh, well, we have two gorgeous daughters who are both very talented dancers, though they like the 80's much more than my favored 70's. Great story you have here.
- Author
Hello,
I do not know why I can not stop think about growing up there, but I can not. LOL.
Thank you for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
N.E.
Takes me back girl. I'll be reading more!
jim
- Author
Hi Privic4rule,
I truly appreciate your kind words.
Take Care,
N.E.
_________________________________________________________
Hey Jisblessed,
Thanks for your lovely words.
My writing is a form of escape, and relaxation -- believe it or not. LOL.
Again, thanks for your ... words.
Take Care,
N.E.
I enjoyed your hub and to see how God brought you through adversity of your circumstances and pain that runs deep from our youth. The writing is a form of escape. He has apurpose for you. God bless
i love this hub and it has woke up some dreams in me, thanks and God bless.
- Author
Hi PegCole17,
I thank you so much for your kind praise.
Take Care,
N.E.
I like your writing style. Nicely written hub.
- Author
Hey Immortalcoach,
Thank you for the heads up on the blog.
Will look into it ....
Take Care,
N.E.
I wrote this blog about two black men in Maui. They were from Philadelphia-- take a look... wonderful insight into life after projects
- Author
Hello Shinkicker,
LOL. Sorry I am really putting together the meaning of your name and I am laughing. LOL.
Thanks for your kind words.
I do have stories to tell. LOL. So I guess that is creative. LOL.
Oh, well, another person not knowing how to do the hustle. LOL.
Take Care,
N.E.
Nice wee Hub, I guess the Projects inspire something creative in some people.
I never learned the Hustle by the way :-)
All the best
- Author
Hey Chaunatye,
I know what you are talking about when it comes to rough. LOL.
My mother was great at double dutch. I was pitiful. LOL.
I really am working -- very slowly. LOL. -- on a fictional story about the Projects.
Thank you so much for your praise ....
Take Care,
N.E.
I grew up in a pretty rough side of town, and never did learn how to double dutch, but man did I THINK that I could dance...although looking back on it now I realize that I was probably fooling myself :) I love this article and like someone else mentioned I would love to see a more in-depth story. Love your style!
- Author
Hey Dumbledore,
Now, take the natural cruelty of children and triple it when you live in the Projects. LOL.
Hey, my Father worked in a Factory too. It was a Women' Knit Factory. He loved it until they moved to the South. He was thinking about moving us there, because they were giving him a promotion. They would have paid for our move also. He turned them down.
Why did he not take the job? It was the '60s, and the South. LOL.
My Mother and her cousin once freaked out when -- they were in the South with my father -- they saw the signs stating Whites Only. They looked at each others, and said, "We got to get the hell up out of here." LOL. They were scared to death. LOL. They were praying until they got back North. LOL.
You know what? It sounds like you grew up in a house. That is costly. We did not move into our house until I was twelve years old. You have to pay for everything when it is your property. Not in the PJs though. LOL. You only paid for rent then.
Living in the PJs with two working parents you get new clothes every week. Name brand food items, and go to the movies, or Play Land Amusement Park every weekend. LOL.
Oh, and my Mom had an arsenal of Baby sitters to choose from. LOL. We children were spoiled. We did not know what saving was. LOL. Life was cool, and then we moved. LOL. Not so spoiled than. Boy did I think we were poor though. LOL. Did you have to split your hot dogs and place it on the bread as a sandwich? I had to learn that.
Moving in a house I forgot what going to a movie was. LOL. No Frills was the name brand food we had then, and we loved it. LOL.
My parents had the bad habit of taking in other children when they needed somewhere to live. They were not in the Foster Care System, and so no extra income. Not that my mother would have taken it. LOL. So there were nights I really did not eat, because I was always told the oldest ate after the younger children did. I wanted them to be full, and, so, I ended up not eating. Life.
I loved learning, but in the PJs you have bullies wanting you to do their homework for them. I stopped doing homework for a while in grade school. Until my Mother found out .... I actually am ashamed of that. I just did not want to be doing someone else's work so I said I did not do my own.
I read in secret. Black kids were usually told you hated being Black if you were seen to know too much. I cannot even laugh at that, because I was really scared of that .... I really envy you in how you showed your pride in learning.
Thank you so much for your comments.
I -- as you can see -- truly appreciate them. LOL.
Take Care,
N.E.
Children can be so cruel.I guess that is a universal concept. My dad was a factory worker and we were probable the poorer of the neighbors. I was looked at as a sort of nerd because my big thing was school and learning.
- Author
Hey Apache13,
Well, you can say you were an M.C.. Master of Ceremonies. LOL. That is what Rappers were called first, I believe. LOL.
Wow, there were too many crazy shootings going on in the ... '80s. I almost forgot about that. Crazy. I knew too many friends of our family that were killed just minding their own business at a party.
I keep thinking OMG, because you have mentioned my birth place, Far Rockaway Queens, NY. I grew up in Red-Fern Projects. LOL. Small world.
I believe I went a total of six to eight times to the Zoo. Sad. LOL.
I now live in the Bronx, so that is crazy on my part. LOL. I have to do better.
I thank you so much for your brief sharing. It was great.
Take Care,
N.E.
That name is quite the story,and no I did it and wont remove it I'll always feel love for her,M.C. is easy to explain off to other girls so it will stay my secret.
I only went to the zoo twice, once with the family of a kid I carried to the hospital,he was shot in a drive by it was a stray that hit him,also I was staying on 114th and University in Harlem then and the other trip to the zoo was with M.C. It was a long time ago when I lived there 87-89, but even though I'm a backwoods country boy, of all the cities I've been to, New York was my favorite and I know that town from the Bronx to Far Rockaway, I liked Queens and Bronx best but the Apollo theater was another highlight for me. I got some good stories about that city but I doubt I'll be able to print them on here. I hope you have a good night,thats the best time in New York it never sleeps.
- Author
Hello Apache13,
Love the name by the way. LOL.
Oh, that's uncool about the tattoo. LOL. Did you ever remove it?
Hey did you go to the Zoo a lot when you lived around there? I noticed I do not go as often as I should, and I have a membership. LOL. What's that about?
I thank you so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
That's good writing,thanks for making me aware of you. I lived in the Bronx on E.L. Grant Hwy near the Zoo.Use to go to West Farms past the L a lot it's all projects,I met a girl there that I fell in love with Monique Carter. Tattooed her initials on my arm and she was gone. Thanks for following and leaving fan mail.Looking forward to reading more of your work as I can.Have a nice day.
- Author
Hello Daffodil2010,
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Take Care,
N.E.
this is a useful information, clicking on you! :)
- Author
Hello Multiman,
I thank you so much for your kind words.
Take Care,
N.E.
_________________________________________________________
Hi Brinafr3sh,
I loved disco music also.
My Mom really could dance well, but she never ever tried to learn the hustle. She really did not care about learning new dance steps after she had us kids. Poor thing. LOL.
Yeah, exercising to disco music I never thought about that before it sounds great to me. I think I will look into that also. LOL.
Thank you so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
My mom knew the dance called the "hustle". And when she played the "disco" songs when I was a child, I really danced to it. I liked the disco sound a lot when I was a child. I think I'll buy a disco CD that I can do my "workouts" to. Thanks.
I enjoyed the bittersweetness of the story, voted up on this.
- Author
Hello Vocalcoach,
Thank you so much for your gracious comments.
I really do appreciate them.
Take Care,
N.E.
Fabulous! You are quite a talent and I am glad to have found you here on hubpages. I loved this and will be reading more articles by you. Rated up! L)
- Author
Hey Stars439,
I appreciate your words.
Take Care,
N.E.
Wonderful Hub. God Bless You.
- Author
Hey Dee,
You could not pay me to be shy when it came to dancing. LOL.
Then I had the nerves to pick up dance step within minutes that took some people several weeks in dance class to learn. LOL.
That is why people started having issues with me. LOL.
I thank you so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
I am one of those unfortunate people who was too shy to try and dance in front of others. So I was grown before I even tried. LOL
- Author
Hello Pintreehugger,
Wow, thank you for your concern.
I grew tired of waiting for a response from the Administrators. LOL. I do not know why they have taken away my accolades, dropped my Hub score to zero, or removed some questions from other Hubbers. I do not get them.
I still receive readers, comments, and I get read other Hubbers work. I truly do not know what I did wrong. I asked several times, but no response. I am too busy trying to improve my work here on the Hubpages, and so I stopped asking.
I just know that I am lucky to have people like you that are concerned. I am truly speechless when this happens.
The Hub Administrators may not care, but at least I know you and others do care, and that truly is way too cool, and enough for me.
I will be checking out your link right after I complete this comment to you.
Thank you so much for your support. I truly appreciate it.
Take Care,
N.E.
I started following you more after I noticed your plight with being unfairly treated by the hub pages. I see that they still haven't bothered to correct your hub score back to it well deserved status. I also saw where they removed a question concerning your sudden decrease to 1 on your hub score, which was asked by another hubber and you answered. I then upon the censorship and removal of that question asked the following question concerning this entire sad matter at this link - https://hubpages.com/question/106672/why-did-the-h... I hope this matter gets quickly taken care of for you. I'm just another big fan of yours, and I hope you have a nice day.
- Author
Hello Perfectperception,
As I read your words I thought, Ain't that the truth. LOL. I learned all of those things, and than some.
I thank you so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
I didn't grow up in the projects but like to hang out when I could. It's where I learned a few things about self-esteem, self defense, and self motivation. Thanks for sharing
- Author
Hi Pmccray,
Yeah, that is true about schools, but I went to the same school as the others who lived within the Housing Projects with me. LOL.
Bullying has seemed to have gotten worse, because of the Social Media, but I remember getting jumped by girls just because. I was 9 years old and it was the '70s. I thought I was getting killed. LOL.
Thanks for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
School is another place, where back in the day, you were held in high esteem. Not like today, where bullying is the barometer of esteem.
- Author
Hello Ariasnote,
I still want to learn how to do the Hustle. LOL.
I think I am going to get that video for me to practice with my son, nieces, and nephews. LOL. That should be fun.
Ooh, yeah, I can also practice with my younger sister. I am loving this already. LOL. I will bring it with us on vacation to Florida this summer. LOL. Cannot wait. LOL.
My friend, who would not show me the dance, was a great dancer. We were on the same level to be honest. She was not jealous of me for a minute. LOL.
The girl who did not want her to teach me ... had issue with me that could stem from my dark complexion along with my quickly learning dance steps. She was not jealous of me in my opinion she just did not like me any longer.
We actually were friends at one time.
I thank you so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
I love to dance, but this is one dance I have not had the privaledge to learn. Thanks for sharing your hub. How sad that your friends were so selfish, and apparently jealous of your talents. Thanks for the video tips as well. :D
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Your Hub is beautiful. I shared it on my Facebook page, because I thought it was great and people need to read it.
They seem to allow me to keep five of my 10 accolades. They took away five from me. LOL.
You should join several Poetry pages on Facebook, and place your poem there so you can get readers to your Hub page. I started doing that yesterday. I have done okay.
Thank you so much for your support.
Take Care,
N.E.
I want to thank you so much for the wonderful comment you left for me on my hub. I also didn't know that the hub pages took back 4 of your accolades (from 10 to 6), that's not right. I've also seen the disappearing and reappearing accolades myself from time to time. The lowering of your hub score from 89 to 1 is simply wrong, and there is no reason for this at all. The hub pages has some explaining to do. However I'm always going to be your biggest fan, and comments from those that are following us is the biggest reward to me on the hub pages. Take care, N.E.
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PoethePoet, you have rendered me speechless.
By the way, that is hard to do. LOL.
Still, you did not render me emotionless. You actually warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
I wrote Hubpages about my score ... and still no answer. It will not stop my goal though and that is to write, be read, and to read other Hubbers' work. I have learned a lot reading other Hubbers' Hubs.
Still, I have learned more from comments made to me on my Hubs, and that I am grateful for.
I told my son when I reach Zero I cannot go lower. I have to go back up. LOL. I was at 89, so this low score is stunning, but "oh well", to me. LOL.
I would never except your Hub score if asked, because you have earned it. I did not work on Hubpages for a year after I have joined. I had death in my family the week I joined. I could not think about writing. So when I did come back I have realized I had to read others work, follow them ..., and write more Hubs.
I did not know there was a limit to how many people a Hubber could follow. I just did not know that. There was a suggestion to me that I un-follow some people. How do I do that? Why should I do that? I may un-follow Hubbers whose work I read regularly. Hubbers I respect. I refuse to un-follow anyone.
I thought about not following people any longer, but what about those who follow me first? Do I not respect them with a follow? I really do not get this, and I am not trying.
I must say your words are still getting to me. Sorry if my response is not as great as your comments. Trust me you have humbled me with your respect and lovely praises.
Thanks again for all your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
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Hey PoethePoet,
I had a total of 10 accolades. LOL.
Still, at least three time a week they will give me one back, and later that day they take it back. LOL. Oh, man it is too funny.
Once my accolade stayed for two days. I was like happy, and then it was gone that evening. LOL. As you said, nothing last forever .... LOL.
Thank you again for your ... comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
There is one more little thing. Be careful N.E. because I have also noticed that the hub pages have been taking back certain accolades from hubbers after they were awarded to them. I guess nothing is forever in this world anymore. Again this is a great hub, and keep up your high level of work, and don't pay any attention to those who don't respect others.
Just wanted to tell you that I'm a big fan of yours, and you have been a role model for me on the hub pages. This is an awesome hub, with terrific photographs. I myself being from Baltimore, Maryland, can certainly relate to this hub. Keep up the great work! There's something else that I noticed when I visited your hubs this time that I'm confused about. That is all of a sudden you have a hub score of "1". There is something wrong with the powers to be of the hub pages, for your score to go down to the lowest possible number. You have been a member of the hub pages for 20 months, which is a lot longer than most of the powers to be. You have 16 hubs, 6 accolades, and 1087 followers and counting. I have one hub, been a member for just 6 months, have 326 followers, 2 accolades, and I have a hub score of "78". Something doesn't add up here. I have a friend in the real world that has had all 3 of his hubs censored (which he deserved), and he still has a higher score then you. I have another friend in the real world that just made up some hubs as a "BIG JOKE", and he won the hubnuggets award. Again, something doesn't add up here. What I've started to notice is that people who start following too many others on the hub pages are being penalized by the powers to be. One thing everybody on the hub pages needs to understand is that it is a person's choice to follow another hubber, and that no one is forced to follow anyone else against their will. There also isn't any set limit on just how many hubbers one is allowed to follow. It looks like to me that the powers to be are jealous of those who have a lot of faithful followers, and they need to get over it. You are probably one of the greatest hubbers there is and I'm very proud to be following you N.E. Wright, and as far as I'm concerned you can have my hub score of "78" and the powers to be can ban me for life. I could go on and on with this, but it's best that I stop now. Like I said I'm a big fan of yours and the powers to be are just jealous, and don't have a clue any longer of what they are doing. Keep up the high level of work that comes natural to you!
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Hi Surale,
Thank you so much for all your visits.
Take Care Friend.
N.E.
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Hi Erin,
Wow, lucky you. You know the hustle. Well, I am jealous. LOL.
Seriously. LOL.
I thank you so much for your lovely praises.
Actually, I am working on using my memories -- of growing up in ... Projects -- for a book of fiction ....
Thanks again.
Take Care,
N.E.
I remember learning the hustle from my older sister. I love reading your stories - so real and poignant. Its so wonderful that you are keeping track of your memories here - will make it easier for you when it comes time for you to put them together in a book :) Namaste.
hi friend nice to visit you
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Hi Amy,
I thank you so much for your wonderful praises.
Most of those photos are from online from a company I joined that have great stock photos. There is only one photo of two of my younger siblings when they were children. I adore those -- then -- brats. LOL.
Thank you -- again -- for your kind comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
N.E. Wright, You are such a talented writer. Your style conveys a serious topic about loyalty, jealousy and friends in an entertaining venue. I look forward to your further adventures in life and growing up in The Projects. The family photos are stellar and show a beautiful bond. Awesome
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Hey AskAshlie3433,
Okay, you official scare me. LOL. If you understand me through my vague tales. You scare me. LOL.
Your praises are so appreciated at this very moment. Thank you so much for them.
Please Take Care,
N.E.
Hey girl! You have been through a lot but look at you now. I am serious when I say you inspire me. It's all about getting out. You have great talent with writing. Hope all is well. Best wishes sis.
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Hi PR Morgan,
I thank you, and I am sorry. LOL.
Take Care,
N.E.
Very honest and real...but I wanted more.
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Hey Azlynn,
Thank you so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
I grew up in the projects too. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Sarclair,
I never learned the Hustle.
My aunts, who were great dancers never learned, because they said it was a truly hard dance to learn. Please. LOL. Pay attention is what I thought. LOL.
Still, I learned new dance steps from them, and they lived in Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn always had the newest dance steps before us people from Queens, NY. LOL. So, if they did not know how to do the Hustle I would not learn unless someone besides them taught me. That is why my friend and I made the pact.
She, Shelly, could not teach me, because the one girl in our ... Projects who knew the Hustle told her she would not teach her if she taught me. That was it.
Thank you for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
You must be a quick learner to have caught on, with no instruction. I am still wondering why she didn't teach you.
- Author
Hey Charmgirl,
So you grew up around the time the Rolling Stone, The Who, and The Beatles were beginning? Cool. I was about six years old when I heard Satisfaction. I just knew the ... Stones were a new Motown group. LOL.
Then one day I over heard my father laughing to a family member as he told them not only was the Stones not with Motown. They were not Black, and also they were not American. LOL. They were just really talented dudes who loved Black American music, and studied it.
My father loves the ... Stones 'til this day. Still, he always laughs when he starts a conversation about them. LOL.
The hustle was a dance craze of the '70s, and I wanted to learn it big time. LOL. It really bothered me that my friend promised not to teach the dance steps just so she could learn it herself.
How I could I be friends with some like that? She was not trustworthy. I just would not have done that. Still, it was a great learning lesson.
Thank you for your praise.
Take Care,
N.E.
I grew up in England during the rock and roll years.Always loved dancing- any kind- but never tried the hustle. These days I'm willing to try anything on the dance floor. It's painful when friends are mean, especially when you are young. Lovely Hub.
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Hello Pixienot,
Yes, I loved some of my friends showed me how to play cards, jump rope, play hopscotch, etc.
The friends who did not know how to dance I would teach them the newest steps the moment I learned from my Aunts. My maternal Aunts were only a few years older than I was.
I was never in any official dance contest. Sorry if I gave you or anyone else that impression.
As I said, some of this story is fact and fiction. An official dance contest with me in it is fiction. LOL.
Still, there would be little contest people with have suddenly to see who was the best at anything at that moment.
It could have been dancing, playing playing checkers, pool, running, hop scotch, corn-braiding, etc. Like I said the PJs was very competitive.
Thank you so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
It is fun when your friends help you to learn; it is awesome to teach yourself! And you won a contest!! Way to go.
Children, especially girls, can be so mean it is painful. Any thing that really helps is by doing your own education (esp dance) and doing it well.
I think the meds are working - Things are blurry.
Good hub.
Voted up and awesome.
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Hi Neverletitgo,
No, -- you are right -- you cannot know what to do when you are in school learning from your teachers and they are not teaching you all of America's history. Especially if you are between the ages of 7 and 10.
Thank you for your kind words.
Take Care,
N.E.
N.E, this really great hub and sometimes it hard to know how to do something without teacher, but I am glad you did it by your own. It was nice dream that you were following and came true. Thanks for sharing.
Abdi
- Author
Hello BobbiRant,
I really appreciate your kind words.
Thanks for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
I love this hub. So accurate and first person account of what it's like growing up there.
- Author
Hey Bail Up,
Well, I am jealous, because you at least live around one person who can teach you how to hustle. No one i know can hustle. LOL.
Thank you so much for reading my work and commenting.
Take Care,
N.E.
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Hello B. Malin,
Kids can be a mess. I know.
I wrote down your poem so I can read it. Thanks.
I think my score is "1" for some past life punishment. LOL. I really do not know what is up. They took away 5 of my 10 accolades also. I asked what's up, but I have not received a response as of yet.
I told my son when I hit zero I can only go back up. LOL. He did not get it. LOL.
I really appreciate your praises.
Take Care,
N.E.
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Hey Marcella,
Thanks for your kind words.
I think that is why this story sticks with me. The loss of friendship.
Thanks for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
_________________________________________________________
Hi LillyGrillzit,
Oh, man, Elaine is the girl. Okay, her dance moves were side splitting -- not laughing at you. only with you. LOL. -- an unbelievable. LOL.
Now, I want to see Seinfeld. LOL.
Thanks so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
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Hello Christopheraton,
You are so welcome. LOL.
Take Care,
N.E.
___________________________________________________________
Hi A.A.Zavala,
I grew up in the same era. I loved disco.
My younger brother and I use to pretend we could hustle. We use to look at the dancers on Soul Train, and try to copy them. It did not work. LOL. Still, we kept pretending we knew what we were doing.
Wow, "Saturday Night Fever", that was an album.
Yeah, not learning the hustle has bothered me. LOL.
Thanks for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
I grew up during the disco era, and I loved to dance as a kid. MY brother and I would play the soundtrack from "Saturday Night Fever" and dance all day. I never did learn the hustle though...
Thanks for a look into a world of long ago
I loved this, except it ended! :0) My version of the Hustle, would resemble Elaine on Seinfeld. Great Hub.
What a touching story. It's hard to find a true friend, and some people like to break-up a friendship. Even, some children don't seem to know/do friendship.
N.E. Wright, I do like your style of writing...as for dancing and other kids...Kids are cruel, read my Elsie Ferdon, Poem. I learned to dance at dancing school...(NOT) I felt like I had two left feet. Years later, I learned rhythm on my own, even wow a Dance contest! Why, Oh Why is your score 1? What is wrong with Hub "graders"? LOL.
This is one dance that escaped me too although my husband is pretty good at it. Him and his sister dance it well together but I never got around to learning it.
- Author
Hello Rieom,
I have been thinking about a story dealing with this story at the core for some time now.
I really appreciate your kinds words.
Hey, I hate I never learned the hustle. LOL. Too bad for you also. LOL.
Take Care,
N.E.
You need to get this story expanded and try for print publication. Your style engages the reader immediately. I enjoyed reading this article. No I never learned the hustle.
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Tom, if you grew up in the PJs you would have been dancing at 6. LOL.
Actually, my younger brother let us all onto a secret years ago. He could not dance. LOL. He just knew how move to the beats so that it looked like he knew what he was doing. He did not.
Though I did not believe him at first had relized I never really saw him dance when I started thinking about it. LOL.
Yeah, we girls love to dance. We just do. It feels great.
Hey, I never learned the Hustle either. I am still ticked off about that. LOL.
Thanks so much for your comments.
Take Care,
N.E.
Hey N.E., I think I leaned to dance when I was about 16. I found out fast that girls liked to do it and when you'd go to a dance you'd see most of the guys (especially white guys, for some reason)sitting or standing around while the girls danced. I just realized I'm outed in your poll, I never did learn that one. Good hub and nice choice on the photos! Peace!! Tom
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